Poultry News

FEFAC Welcomes EU’s GM Solution

29 June 2011

EU - In Brussels, the president of the feed manufacturers' association, FEFAC, has welcomed the so-called 'technical solution' for unapproved genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which was adopted by the European Commission (EC) last week.

FEFAC President, Patrick Vanden Avenne, has welcomed the so-called 'technical solution' for traces of not yet EU approved genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which was adopted by the European Commission on 24 June 2011.

He said: "There is now finally an analytical definition of the 'zero' level, which continues to be requested from a political point of view. Test results on GMO traces can now be interpreted more accurately and are reproducible

"Until now, the burden of proof of systematic or accidental differences between laboratories or analytical methods as well as mistakes in sampling or sample treatment exclusively rested on the feed chain.

"At least this situation should change now, according to the expectation of the FEFAC President.

Mr Vanden Avenne, however, highlighted the imminent risks for the supply of feedstuffs to the EU feed and livestock sector linked to the persisting slow pace of asynchronous approvals of GM crops in the EU.

He said: "EU feed and livestock producers may lose access to maize products from Brazil and the US in the autumn of 2011 and possibly soy products from Brazil in spring 2012 due to the cultivation of new GM maize and soy events which have not yet and may not receive full EU approval prior to harvest in these countries.

"The 'technical zero' laid down in the new regulation will not be sufficient to cover potential carry-over in shipments to the EU from GM seeds which have been sold for cultivation in key export countries."

Mr Vanden Avenne stressed: "There is no time for complacency: the EU must urgently continue its efforts to seek full synchronisation of EU approvals of GM crops with key exporting countries in order to safeguard vital feed supplies and the competitiveness of the EU livestock sector."